SWEEPING CHANGES IN RULES FOR BOAT HARBORS, FACILITIES & STATE OCEAN WATERS APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR

(Honolulu) – Governor David Ige has approved a comprehensive administrative rule amendment package for the DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR). The amendments cover rules for state small boat harbors, state boating facilities, and state ocean waters.

Amending rules to clarify restrictions on anchoring or mooring outside of designated offshore mooring areas under HAR § 13-235-9. Amended language provides that no person shall anchor or moor a vessel in an Ocean Recreation Management Area or non-designated area for more than a cumulative period of 72 hours within any 14-day period.

Updating rules regarding diver’s flags under HAR § 13-245-9 by clarifying applicability to snorkelers, free divers, and SCUBA divers who are not accompanied by a host vessel or who surface more than 100 feet from their host vessel and requiring illumination for a dive flag between sunset and sunrise.

Removing the exemption in HAR § 13-256-3 for vessels operating out of Kewalo Basin from obtaining a commercial use permit or catamaran registration certificate.

Updating HAR §§ 13-256-16 & 13-256-17, regarding thrill craft, to require that thrill craft operators must have passed “a state approved course” which would allow operators to choose from a wider selection of certification courses.

DOBOR’s priority is the health and safety of all of the harbor users. DLNR is also looking to protect native and endangered species as feral animals threaten birds, mammals, seals and other fauna. It is important to have a mechanism to address the department’s harbor health and endangered species concerns as necessary.